Page 49 of Fourth

Maya’s pulse stumbled.

She turned slowly in place, heart hammering. At first, it appeared terrifyingly real, like she had been pulled straight into the Council chambers themselves. But as her hand passed through the edge of an Elder’s robe, shimmering faintly beneath her touch, realization dawned. It was a projection. Ahologram. Relief washed through her in a sharp wave, loosening the tight knot in her chest. She hadn’t been transported anywhere. She was still in Riv’En’s home. Still safe. And yet, what she was witnessing shookher.

She wasn’t supposed to seethis.

But she couldn’t make herself look away. Her whole body locked in place, as if moving would make everything she was seeing real in a way she wasn’t readyfor.

The chamber’s projection pulsed faintly as sound kicked in. Not all at once, but in rising clarity. Adeep male voice spoke first, one of the Elders in silver-green robes. His tone was clipped and forceful: “Final Flight is accelerating beyond expected parameters. We must determine now whether intervention is possible.”

Riv’En’s voice followed, measured and unwavering. “Intervention is unnecessary. Iwill manage.”

“Manage?” the other male Councilor echoed, his voice deeper, colder. “Your physical scans say otherwise. Your heatoutput has already crossed threshold. We have protocols for this.”

Vaeyra’s voice cut in next, quieter but edged with steel. “Those protocols include voluntary entry into cryo-stasis or seclusion. Both options are unacceptable given the contamination threat.”

Maya’s stomach twisted, asharp, cold knot tightening deep in her gut. Her throat grew tight, her breath too shallow, like there wasn’t enough air in the room. Every instinct in her body screamed to run, to escape this unbearable tension, but her legs wouldn’t move. Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms. She couldn’t unhear the threat woven into every sentence. Her mind spun in frantic circles: Was there anything she could do to change their minds? Would Riv’En really be able to stand against all of them alone?

The first Elder stepped forward slightly. “There is no precedent for halting Final Flight. None. But we are also without precedent regarding this bond. It cannot be ignored. The human must be isolated immediately.”

Riv’En’s posture didn’t shift. “She is not a threat.”

The male Councilor’s voice rose. “Her presence is accelerating your condition. That is not speculation. It is fact. The human’s proximity destabilizes you.”

Before Riv’En could answer, asoft chime echoed through the chamber—sharp, yet musical. Vaeyra lifted her hand slightly, drawing immediate attention. “A new report has just been received,” she said, her voice cutting through the tension like tempered glass. “The human does not accelerate his Final Flight. Quite the reverse, in fact. The ship’s original assessment was incorrect. Her presence slows his condition.”

The first Councilor’s mouth tightened. “There’s no knowing which assessment is correct.”

“You doubt our scientists’ report?”

“His Final Flight has not stopped entirely. We need to know why.”

“True,” Vaeyra allowed. “But according to our esteemed colleagues, he would have completed his Final Flight long ago if not for his Bonded Mate. She has changed the progression.” She tilted her head, eyes suddenly narrowing. “Which reminds me.... The Mating Flame—does it exist or does it not?”

Riv’En’s answer was immediate, steady. “It appeared on her. Shortly after first contact.”

Silence rippled through the room. Vaeyra’s gaze sharpened. “Explain.”

“There was a blood exchange during our first contact. Our first confrontation. She bit me and it drew blood.”

Maya flinched where she stood, the memory sparking sharp and immediate. That night she’d been taken by Riv’En. The wild panic. Her teeth sinking into his skin without thinking, tasting blood she hadn’t understood—hot, metallic, unlike anything human.

She’d been terrified then, convinced she’d crossed a line she couldn’t come back from. But now... now she saw it through a different lens. That bite had meant something. More than anger or defense. It had bonded her to him. That single moment might have been the key to all of this—and she hadn’t even realizedit.

The second male Councilor frowned, glancing at the data screen. “That explains the anomaly. And yet, you bear no visible Flame. Why?”

Vaeyra’s voice dropped. “His mother’s people. Half-blooded unions manifest differently. It may require the Bonded Chase. The Flame Hunt.”

Riv’En’s voice cut in before she could say more. “The Bonded Chase was completed.” His mouth tightened. “I completed the ritual. But no Flame appeared.”

Her gaze narrowed thoughtfully. “Then clearly, something was done incorrectly.”

One of the male Councilors leaned forward, frowning hard. “Incorrectly? He completed the ritual, did he not?”

Vaeyra inclined her head slowly. “Perhaps too soon. Or without full adherence to protocol. The Bonded Chase has strict rules. Chase, mate, exchange of blood by both parties. If any step is incomplete, the Mating Flame will not ignite. Timing matters, yes, but it is the blood exchange that seals the bond fully.” She paused, voice sharpening with purpose. “Did you bite her during the Chase, Riv’En? That is required.”

“I did,” Riv’En confirmed, his voice steady.

Vaeyra tilted her head in consideration. “And did she bite you in return—during the Chase itself?”

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